For Immediate Release November 19, 2002
AuRx, Inc. - Baltimore
Dr. Joseph Burnett discussed the recently completed one year follow-up
data for the Phase I/II clinical trial of the AuRx therapeutic vaccine
for treatment of genital herpes at the Eugene Bereston Lecture today.
The AuRx therapeutic vaccine completely prevented all signs and
symptoms of recurrent genital herpes in 43.5% of the patients for
12 to 15 months (entire length of follow-up to date). One year data
on the high dose arm, where only two shots rather than the three
given in the low dose arm, was significant relative to the entire
study placebo at P=.025. The therapeutic vaccine was equally effective
in both men and women. The number of herpetic episodes in the treated
group was reduced 71% from the previous year (P<.001).
The results of the low dose arm of the trial were recently published
in Cutis, a dermatological journal. In that study, the publication
reported the recurrence rate for episodes of genital herpes was
reduced 84% from the previous year (P<.001) and 37.5% of the treated
patients had no recurrent episodes (complete prevention of all symptoms)
(P=.06). The study achieved statistical significance in all the
secondary endpoints, including reduction of illness days and reduction
of recurrences. The severity (pain, itching, lesions, vesicle formation,
dysuria) and duration of attacks in those patients having episodes
was also considerably reduced.
Further patient follow-up and scientific studies of the patients
in this trial are envisaged to examine its disease-modifying effects
over the long-term. Additional new studies are being planned to
confirm these promising findings.
Genital herpes affects over 60 million Americans with 910,000 women
and 730,000 men contracting the disease each year. This disease
normally results in 6 outbreaks per year but in severe cases more
episodes may result. Increasing resistance to the nucleoside analogs
currently used to treat genital herpes is being reported. The psychosocial
consequences of genital herpes is quite significant as 57% of those
infected indicate that herpes interfered with their sexual relationships,
50% felt it was difficult to live with genital herpes and 37% felt
that herpes ruined their lives.
The Eugene Sydney Bereston Memorial Lecture is given annually by
an invitee of the Maryland Dermatologic Society and is dedicated
to an outstanding scientist and physician who studied cutaneous
diseases for many years.
or Additional Information Contact:
Gary J. Calton, President AuRx, Inc.
500 J McCormick Drive
Glen Burnie, MD 21061
410.590.7610
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